Attachment for seed-drills



(No Model.)

H. M. FORDHAM.

ATTACHMENT FOR SEED DEILLS. No. 245,474. Patented Aug. 9,1881.

ai /l I Q T WITNESSES: v INVENTOE:

ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES HOWVARD M. FORDHAM, OF GREAT BEND, KANSAS.

ATTACHMENT FOR SEED-DRILLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,474, dated August9, 1881.

Application filed April 8, 1881. (N 0 model.)

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD M. FORDIIAM, of Great Bend, in the county ofBarton and State of Kansas, haveinvented a new and Improved Attachmentfor Seed-Drills, of which the following is a specification.

Figure 1 is a rear view of my improvement, shown as applied to aseed-drill. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the attachment. Fig.8isasectional elevation of the attachment, illustrating the operation ofthe springs when the rods enter the ground.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to keep the feet of drills and seedersfree from rubbish.

The invention consists in constructing an attachment for seed-drillswith a rotary shaft, spirally-arranged rods attached to the shaft topass between the drill-feet and push off collected rubbish, and springsplaced upon the rods to keep them clear of rubbish, as will behereinafter fully described.

A represents the wheels, B the axle, U the frame, D the seed-box, E thedelivery-tubes, and F the feet, of a drill, about the construction ofwhich parts there is nothing new.

To the frame 0 are attached brackets or hangers G,to, the lower ends ofwhich are journaled the ends of a shaft, H. The shaftH is placed in therear of the feet F, and to it are attached radial arms or rods I, whichare arranged spirally a-nd in such a manner as to pass successively through the successive spaces between the feet F. The ends of the rods 1pass through the center of springs J, the ends of which are attached tothe shaft II.

With this construction, as the machine is drawn forward one of the rodsI enters the the next rod I in contact with the ground,

which, in turn, enters the ground and rotates the shaft, and so on. Aseach rod I enters the ground the next rod I passes between the next twofeet F and pushes off any grass, weeds, or other rubbish that may havecollected upon them. As each rod 1 enters the ground the bend of itsspring J comes in contact with the ground and is pushed upward, as shownin Fig. 3. As the rod I leaves the ground the elasticity of the spring Jforces its middle part or bend downward to the end of the rod, pushingoff any rubbish that may be upon the rod. In this way the rods 1 arekept clear, and the rubbish is prevented from winding around the shaft Hand clogging it.

If desired, the rotary shaft H maybe driven from thewheelAor axle B byaband and pulleys, so as to be rotated with a positive movement.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters -Patent 1. An attachment for seed-drills, constructedsubstantially as herein shown and described, consisting of the shaft H,the radial rods I, arranged spirally around theshaft, andtheclearing-springs J, as set forth.

2. In an attachment for seeddrills, the combi nation, with thespirally-arranged radial rods I, attached to the rotary shat'tH,ofthesprings J, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby thesaid rods are kept clear of rubbish, as set forth.

HOWARD MILTON FORDHAM.

Witnesses:

FRANK MILLARD, GEORGE A. LAW.

